Our initial aim was to develop an affordable micro-scale gravity fed irrigation system that could be sold through Burro (https://www.burrobrand.biz/pc/) to farmers in Ghana. We collaborated with students at Brown University to better understand the system being designed, and met with a Ghanaian women to gain insights into the cultural considerations in Ghana. Ultimately, we learned about the influences on human centered design, the pitfalls and triumphs of collaborating with different entities, and the different environmental and social climates of Ghana.
After hearing from and seeing the implementation of solar cookstoves in Uganda, we have altered the design to fit the needs and the community culture of Teococuilco de Marcos Perez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
We're designing a freezer facility that will use solar power to produce ice. This will be especially beneficial for communities without affordable or accessible energy or refrigeration. Using solar energy, the system could also power a charging station, LED lighting, solar cooker, or aquaponics systems.
This has the potential to solve food production and security issues. By pairing with the Aquaponics facility (below) we will produce food on-site, and also use the thermal properties of both to increase the efficiency of the system. We are continuing to search for potential communities that could benefit greatly from this technology.
Aquaponics is an energy and water efficient agricultural practice that uses a system of water tanks filled with fish to grow plants for food. We're researching foreign and domestic applications for an aquaponics facility, particularly as horticulture therapy at a prison.
80,000+ Navajo Tribal members living on the Navajo reservation are without clean, running water, and are living on less than 10 gallons of water per day. The non-profit DIGDEEP wishes to support the Navajo nation by raising awareness of this tragedy as well as digging a deep water well to provide water to this forgotten people group.
Growing and cultivating food within more public areas and cityscapes. Not only does it enhance a local food supply, it can work to better the air quality. Some options would be vertical farming, rooftop, aquaponics, home compost etc. Can be used within landscaping to be aesthetically pleasing as well as healthier for the community.
Our mission is to provide supplemental education for high school students while employing local teachers in Cape Town, South Africa. We intend to provide supplemental tutoring for school material as well as job advising for students entering the workforce community after graduation.
Sahil Oberoi Sandy Shane Olivia Caesar Joey Pasche Lezah Winick
Unchosen Projects Below
Organic fertilizer for Sub-Saharan Africa and Organic Ag Education
Fertilizer distribution systems are currently ineffective in meeting farmers needs in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, fertilizer use in these areas are low, contributing to the insufficient crop yields. Low crop yield is also due to lack of knowledge regarding soil nutrients, crop rotation, and optimal management techniques.
Can they make their own organic fertilizer and learn how to farm effectively?
Use Eucalyptus to make charcoal rather then hardwood
South African countries experience the 4th highest deforestation in the world. They use a majority of this hardwood for the production of charcoal, which is used for warmth and cooking. Rather then cutting down trees, Eucalyptus scarps are abundent and can be used to make even better charcoal.
Carbon Education
Plan for a more global understanding of carbon dioxide emission problems and education of how to counter this issue through different agricultural practices.
Agricultural insurance is common place in the United States -- it helps farmers take risk and invest in their crops. This form of insurance could help farmers all around the world improve their operations, from small scale to large scale. Listen to this Planet Money podcast (3:42) to learn more about a study done which helps show that this kind of insurance can make a real difference in peoples' lives.
BSFL Feed
Black Soldier Fly Larvae are a sustainable form of protein-rich feed for fish and chicken. They digest almost all organic scraps from cooking and farming, and can even work with manure. and duckweed -- a fast-growing aquatic plant often used as an additional source of food for fish.
Cal Poly Fruit & Crop Science department includes conventional farming, organic vegetable farming, and fruit orchards. Real Food Collaborative operates CSA to allow the students and community to buy these products. Currently the program is looking to expand more thoroughly on campus, offer more food, more often, and spread more knowledge of the program.
Open Defecation
Sanitation is a very important part of development. Please see the TED talk from SOIL
Pete Schwartz, Cal Poly Physics:, Pete's Webpage: pschwart@calpoly.edu
Our group's Sustainability Research
Office hours: Office hours: M(11:10), T(10:10), W(5:10), R(12:10), F(11:10)
General Appropriate Technology Website for all Past Classes, and in particular Last Year's Appropriate Technology Class
Course Syllabus and Course Timeline. Please pick a book to read for this class from The Book List
Self Interventions: Just add to the top of the past Don't Throw Away Page, Empathy Intervention, and Self Intervention Page, Class feedback week 5 Nov. 2 Talk Feedback, Nov 7, 8 Feedback
If you think your project is something you'll pursue over the coming year, consider applying for up to $25,000 from VentureWell
Description of what to expect for this year's final exam
Last year's Final Exam
This quarter's class quizz questions
Post your exam questions here.
Student Eval for this class.
Initial detailed project descriptions
Link to Video
www.burrobrand.biz
Brown Team Intro
Ricardo L.
Ariana Brandao
Chelsea Glasnow
Jim Marett
Webpage
Kickstarter
Solar Cooking Research
aditi.vepa@calpoly.edu
Denise Garcia
dgarci46@calpoly.edu
Kalena Hermes
kmhermes@calpoly.edu
Nick Crawford
nrcrawfo@calpoly.edu
Nick Wagner
Video
This has the potential to solve food production and security issues. By pairing with the Aquaponics facility (below) we will produce food on-site, and also use the thermal properties of both to increase the efficiency of the system. We are continuing to search for potential communities that could benefit greatly from this technology.
Solar Research
Solar Ice
SJState Solar Ice Project
Solarpedia Solar Ice
Miranda Mills
Megan Braun
Petra Knapp
Kick Starter Video
(Excellent!)
mnataraj@calpoly.edu
Christian Barreto
cbarre03@calpoly.edu
Robert Gray
rgray02@gmail.com
Elizabeth Russell
elrussel@calpoly.edu
Elise Barsch elise.barsch@gmail.com
Kickstarter Video
Project Description
DIGDEEP Water
george@digdeepwater.org
Last year's solar garden
Kaelyn Rohm
Daniel Stewart
Alejandro Montenegro
Kickstart Video
smete@calpoly.edu
Ari Burton
aeburton@calpoly.edu
Gracie Nino
gnino@calpoly.edu
Nick Russell
narussel@calpoly.edu
Video
Kyle Cherry
cherry@calpoly.edu
Nikhil Thakar
Eva Brundage
Day Gudmundsson
dgudmund@calpoly.edu
Video
Sandy Shane
Olivia Caesar
Joey Pasche
Lezah Winick
Can they make their own organic fertilizer and learn how to farm effectively?
Integrated Nutrient Management, Soil Fertility, and Sustainable Agriculture
Summaries